Why?

[FUDGEY]

Several why's that I've often wondered. Why have collared doves spread lie wildfire and turtle doves haven't? I'm not familiar what habitat turtles require so it might be pretty obvious. Why do starlings and pied flycatchers have blue eggs when almost every other hole nesters have White eggs? And why are house martins feet covered in tiny feathers? Just a bit of fun, but I am curious to know.

[nightshade]

Collar Doves had some publicity when they first arrived here, (you only have to look at the celebrities that make a fat living purely on publicity to know whatit can do) Turtle doves look more like feral pigeons so get short shrift.

[salukiwhippet]

Not sure if it's related. but it would seem to fit: Collars breed all year round and are very tenacious when it comes to defending nests. They're also pretty adaptable as far as habitat goes.

Those factors seem likely to contribute to a fast spread.

As for the other questions, my considered opinion as a professional wildlife manager is.......Dunno!

James

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by nightshade

Turtle doves look more like feral pigeons so get short shrift.

I've never seen a Feral Pigeon that even remotely resembles a Turtle Dove - are you thinking of Rock Dove (from which Feral Pigeons are descended) or Stock Dove?? Turtle Doves are easily the most attractive of the pigeons and doves we get in this country!

The increase of Collared Dove, and decline of Turtle Doves is probably largely due to man, but as stated Collared Doves are able to breed all year which does help them to increase in numbers. Collared Doves are usually around human habitation - but scarce in heavily built up areas, while Turtle Doves seem to prefer 'the countryside'. Current farming practices (and hunting on their migration routes) can't be helping!

As far as the other questions go - assuming that the idea that birds that nest in holes have pale eggs to make them easier to find is correct (although I don't really see why it should be), pale blue is probably just as good a colour as white - and perhaps Starlings and Pied Fly's just like it better.
House Martins and feathered feet? Lets just say that they fly higher than other hirundines (Swallows and Martins) and get cold feet! (Swifts also have feathered feet).

Roy.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Collared Doves, unlike Turtle Doves, are non-migratory so don't have to run the gauntlet of all the hunters in the Mediterranean area, predators en route, and vagueries of the terrain they have to cross on migration, such as the water crossings and the Sahel etc.

Collared Doves also nest year round and are more gregarious in their choice of habitats.

Cheers,

Adam

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

Collared Doves, unlike Turtle Doves, are non-migratory so don't have to run the gauntlet of all the hunters in the Mediterranean area, predators en route, and vagueries of the terrain they have to cross on migration, such as the water crossings and the Sahel etc.

Collared Doves also nest year round and are more gregarious in their choice of habitats.

Cheers,

Adam

Yes, agree with Adam and Roy here - Turtle Doves still hunted en masse in Med especially France and Iberian peninsula (and don't forget Malta!). Look nothing like feral pigeons more like Turtle Doves with a beautiful rufous tortoiseshell patterned back and pinkish belly.

Decline due to several factors (as with decline of other species) but largely due to changes in agricultural polices, intense farming and hedge clearances. (They are essentially a farmland habitat species feeding on seeds and wildflower pods). Just come back from rural Southern Greece, and they are still very common there but then 'agriculture' still very much localised self-sustaining Mom and Pop small holdings and free range cattle grazing. Lots of wild meadow habitat and uncleared scrub too.

(Climate change in their wintering grounds may also be a factor)

Best way to spot Turtle Dove in UK is listen out for their distinctive purring in trees and check out all pigeon species perched on wires!

[Hobjob]

Collar doves are declining ++++ in my garden.
Last year had up to 26 at a time, but they are
so stupid that the sparrowhawk(?s) visit
every few days